Nicotine

Nicotine is an alkaloid found in the nightshade family of plants (Solaneceae), predominantly in tobacco and in lower quantities in tomato, potato, eggplant (aubergine) and green pepper. (An alkaloid is one of a group of nitrogenous organic compounds that have marked physiological effects on humans.)

Nicotine occurs throughout the tobacco plant and especially in the leaves. Nicotine alkaloids are also found in the leaves of the coca plant. Nicotine constitutes 0.3 to 5% of the tobacco plant by dry weight, with biosynthesis taking place in the roots and accumulating in the leaves.

Nicotine is one of the few liquid alkaloids. In its pure state it is a colorless, odourless liquid with an oily consistency, but when exposed to light or air, it acquires a brown colour and gives off a strong odour of tobacco. Nicotine’s chemical formula is C10H14N2.

Nicotine is the addictive ingredient in the tobacco used in cigarettes, cigars, and snuff. In its psychoactive effects, nicotine is a unique substance with a biphasic effect; when inhaled in short puffs it has a stimulant effect, but when smoked in deep drags it can have a tranquilizing effect. This is why smoking can feel invigorating at some times and can seem to block stressful stimuli at others.

Nicotine is also an addictive drug, though, and smokers characteristically display a strong tendency to relapse after having successfully stopped smoking for a time. When ingested in larger doses, nicotine is a highly toxic poison that causes vomiting and nausea, headaches, stomach pains, and, in severe cases, convulsions, paralysis, and death.

Nicotine is commercially obtained from tobacco scraps and is used as an insecticide and as a veterinary vermifuge. Nitric acid or other oxidizing agents convert it to nicotinic acid, or niacin, which is used as a food supplement.


It is potent neurotoxin with particular specificity to insects; therefore nicotine was widely used as an insecticide in the past and currently nicotine derivatives such as imidacloprid continue to be widely used.

Morphine

Morphine, the principal active agent in opium, is a powerful opioid analgesic drug. Morphine is a narcotic analgesic drug used in medicine in the form of its hydrochloride, sulfate, acetate, and tartrate salts. Morphine was isolated from opium by the German chemist F.W.A. Sertürner in about 1804.

Uses of morphine

In its power to reduce the level of physical distress, morphine is among the most important naturally occurring compounds, being of use in the treatment of pain caused by cancer and in cases where other analgesics have failed.

It also has a calming effect that protects the system against exhaustion in traumatic shock, internal hemorrhage, congestive heart failure, and debilitated conditions (as certain forms of typhoid fever).

It is most frequently administered by injection to ensure rapid action, but it is also effective when given orally.

Morphine is used to treat moderate to severe pain. Short-acting formulations are taken as needed for pain. The extended-release form of this medicine is for around-the-clock treatment of pain. This form of morphine is not for use on an as-needed basis for pain. Morphine is not for treating short-term pain just after surgery unless you were already taking morphine before the surgery.

Side effects

Morphine produces a relaxed, drowsy state and many side effects that result from the depression of the respiratory, circulatory, and gastrointestinal systems. It also is an emetic and a general depressant. The most serious drawback to the drug is its addictiveness. It also decreases hunger, inhibits the cough reflex and produce constipation. Morphine is usually highly addictive and tolerance and physical and psychological dependence develop quickly. Patients on morphine often report insomnia and nightmares.

Morphine, an opium alkaloid, can be converted into heroin, which shows a considerably stronger euphoric effect and is so powerfully addictive that its manufacture is legally prohibited in many countries. Other derivatives of morphine include the analgesics methylmorphine (codeine), ethylmorphine, dihydrocodeinone, and dihydromorphinone and the emetic apomorphine. Morphine is extracted from the dried milky exudate of the unripe seed capsule of the opium poppy (Papaver somniferum). It occurs as colourless crystals or a white crystalline powder.

Drug And Alcohol Abuse

Drug abuse is not harmless. Even short-term use can have long-term effects, and these effects can harm the user and those closest to him or her. The Effects of Alcohol Abuse Abusing alcohol in your teen or young adult years can have a permanent effect on bone development. According to The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, "chronic heavy drinking, particularly during adolescence and the young adult years, can dramatically compromise bone quality and may increase osteoporosis risk…the effects of heavy alcohol use on bone cannot be reversed, even if alcohol consumption is terminated" ("Alcohol and Other Factors Affecting Osteoporosis Risk in Women"). Drinking is also closely related to liver damage and disease, two irreversible medical conditions. Even if you do not experience permanent effects of alcohol abuse first hand, alcohol consumption during pregnancy greatly increases the risk of birth defects. This creates permanent effects on an individual with no choice or power over the situation. Children born with a fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) experience a range of symptoms that may include the following: Abnormal facial features Small head or body size Poor coordination Hyperactivity Learning disabilities Delayed speech Poor judgment skills Vision or hearing problems Heart, kidney or bone problems These effects are permanent and lifelong, and greatly impact a child's quality of life and ability to develop and learn. The Effects of Prescription Drug Abuse Misusing prescription drugs always increases the chance of overdose or harmful drug interactions. These can be fatal or can leave users with permanent organ or cognitive damage. Prescription stimulants like Adderall and Ritalin can permanently damage blood vessels, creating high blood pressure and increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke. The Effects of Recreational Drug Abuse Drugs often mistaken as physically harmless can have serious and permanent side effects. Marijuana has an immediate effect on memory, an effect that is typically short-lived although not without the possibility for academic, personal or professional consequences. And long-term marijuana use can lead to serious and permanent cognitive damage. LSD abuse can lead to permanent issues with anxiety and paranoia, and hallucinogen use may lead to the development of hallucinogen persisting perception disorder (HPPD). HPPD may involve flashbacks, false perceptions or the reoccurrence of other hallucinogen-related perceptual changes long after drug use has ceased. This disorder interrupts daily life and can have a permanent effect on an individual's ability to function, develop relationships or maintain employment

UNODC receives donation from the Japanese

20 March 2014 - UNODC signed a funding agreement with the Japanese Drug Abuse Prevention Centre (DAPC) that provides grants to NGOs who work in the area of drug prevention. Speaking at the signing ceremony, UNODC Executive Director Yury Fedotov said, "I would like to express my sincere appreciation for the close to US$5.5 million the DAPC has raised in support of UNODC's work during this time." He added that the need to raise awareness of the drug problem is more urgent than ever and that the UNODC/DAPC partnership shows just how much good work can be done when young people play an active role in these efforts.During the signing ceremony, Ambassador Toshiro Ozawa, the Permanent Representative of Japan to the International Organizations in Vienna, presented a cheque of around US$190,000 to Mr. Fedotov and signed a new funding agreement with UNODC. Ambassador Ozawa also received a report setting out how UNODC distributed funding to NGOs in 2013.  Since the partnership started, more than 600 grass-root NGOs in some 90 developing countries in Asia, Africa, Eastern Europe and Latin America and the Caribbean have been given funding for their vital work in preventing drug use.The DAPC is an NGO that organizes annual public campaigns throughout Japan and aims to increase awareness among young Japanese of the dangers of drug abuse. It also raises funds for UNODC to spend in support of NGOs working around the world.

What is N-Bomb or 25i ?

N-Bomb is a powerful hallucinogen, which means it changes the way you see objects and reality. You might see or hear things which aren’t there (known as hallucinations). The experience of taking hallucinogens is often referred to as a ‘trip’. Trips can be good or bad, but until you take it you don’t know how it will affect you – and once you’re on a ‘trip’ you can't stop it.The main effects and risks of taking hallucinogens, like N-Bomb, are:

o   Time and movement can appear to speed up and slow down.

o  Colour, sound and objects can get distorted and you can experience doublevision.

o   These distortions of your senses can be quite unpredictable, sometimes pleasant, but sometimes very frightening (these are called 'bad trips').

N-Bomb is a term for a member of the NBOMe ‘family’ of drugs. They are highly powerful hallucinogens, similar to LSD and are also related to the 2C ‘family’ of compounds.

What are the effects of N-Bombs?

The effects of N-Bombs can last between six and ten hours and include:

• Feeling of euphoria (intense happiness) and love/empathy.
• Mental and physical stimulation.
• A pleasant or positive change in consciousness.
• Unusual body sensations.    

What are the effects of N-Bombs?

The effects of N-Bombs can last between six and ten hours and include:

• Feeling of euphoria (intense happiness) and love/empathy.
• Mental and physical stimulation.
• A pleasant or positive change in consciousness.
• Unusual body sensations

Because N-Bombs are similar to LSD, they are likely to have similar effects to LSD. The experience of taking hallucinogens, like LSD, is often referred to as a ‘trip’.

A positive trip can make you feel happy, euphoric and relaxed. A negative or bad trip can make users feel tense, nervy and confused. You might even experience unpleasant and scary hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren’t there).

 Other effects:

• During a time and your movements can appear speeded up or slower down. Colours, objects and sound can appear very differently to normal.
• Feeling tired, anxious, panicky and depressed.
• Trips can feed off your imagination – so if you’re unhappy or nervous it can make these feelings a lot worse.

What are the risks of using N-Bombs?

The effects can last between six and ten hours and include:

• Feelings of confusion and paranoia.
• Insomnia, this is where someone founds it very hard to fall asleep or to stay asleep for a normal amount of time.
• Feeling sick and nauseous.
• Body tremors and shaking.

Doctors who have treated people who have taken N-Bombs have reported the following common effects/risks:

• Increased heart rate and blood pressure, which can put pressure on your heart and circulation system and in extreme cases can lead to heart failure.
• Agitation and aggression.
• You may see and hear things that aren’t there (known as hallucinations).
• Some people might have seizures and a fever or high body temperature

N-Bombs are very powerful, with only a small amount needed to have an effect. For example, the average dose of the N-Bomb 25I-NBOMe is between 0.000050 and 0.0001gram. Because of this it can be easy to overdose if you are using the powder or liquid forms of NBOMe.N-Bombs are similar to LSD  so there some of the risks of LSD may apply to N-Bombs as well.

6 dead from drug overdose

KUALA LUMPUR, March 15 — Three women were among six people, who died from drug intake after they suffocated while attending the Future Music Festival Asia concert at the Bukit Jalil Stadium early this morning.Kuala Lumpur Police Chief, Datuk Mohmad Salleh said in the 2 am incident, three other men were reported to be in critical condition due to the drugs.“The six, who died were locals, aged between 19 to 28, and were pronounced dead on the way to the University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC) and the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre (PPUKM) early this morning,” he told a media conference here today.The six, who died from the drug intake were known as Kamal Zekry Kamal Basha, 22, Victor Wong E Hern, 26, Sabreena Kamaruddin, 21, M.Suresh, 28, Syazana Sohaime, 23, and Nor Faizza Mohd Wazir, 27.he men who were in critical condition, including two foreigners were being treated in UMMC and PPUKM.Two of them were Singaporeans and the third a local, aged between 19 to 27, he said.Mohmad said, discussions with the organisers found that the three-day concert, which was supposed to end tonight, had been cancelled after the safety of the patrons was compromised.“The six victims who died were believed to have taken the drug methamphetamine before going to the concert.“The drug is known as ‘designer drug’ or synthetic drugs, which is called meth,” he said.He added that autopsies conducted on the victims found that they had died from drug overdose.Mohmad said the drugs were sold at between RM60 to RM100 a pill, depending on its contents.During the two days of the concert police also arrested 19 patrons, including seven locals and 12 foreigners from Singapore, Australia and Indonesia for possession of drugs, he said -Bernama

What is Steroids?

What Are Anabolic Steroids?

Anabolic steroids are a class of steroid hormones based on the androgen testosterone. Anabolic steroids are also known as anabolic-androgenic steroids or AAS or performance enhancing drugs.

What Do Anabolic Steroids Do?

Anabolic steroids increase the rate of protein synthesis within cells. The building of cellular tissue (anabolism) is especially noticeable in muscles. Anabolic steroids also have androgenic and virilizing effects. They influence masculine characteristics such as the growth of the vocal cords and body hair.

How Are Anabolic Steroids Used as Drugs?

Anabolic steroids have been attractive to athletes and bodybuilders because they increase the size and strength of muscles. They also increase aggressiveness and competitiveness, which can be desirable traits in sports. Anabolic steroids may be prescribed to promote appetite, stimulate bone growth, induce male puberty, to lessen the effects of muscle wasting from chronic diseases, such as cancer or AIDS, and may show promise as a male contraceptive. The drugs are available as oral pills, injectable steroids, and skin patches.

How Do Anabolic Steroids Work?

Anabolic steroids change muscle mass and strength by two processes. First, the steroids lead to an increased production of proteins, which are the building blocks of muscle. The steroids also block the effect of the hormone cortisol on muscle tissue, so that existing muscle is broken down at a slower rate. Additionally, anabolic steroids lead to cells differentiating into muscle more readily than fat.

What Are the Risks of Using Anabolic Steroids?

In addition to increasing muscle strength and mass, the effects of taking anabolic steroids include harmful changes in cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, acne, liver damage, and changes to the structure of the left ventricle of the heart. Anabolic steroids have an androgenic or virilizing effect, meaning they affect male characteristics. Anabolic steroids affect the onset of puberty, growth of the clitoris in females and the penis in male children 

oes not affect the size of the penis in adults), increased size of the vocal chords and deepening of the voice, increased body hair, and premature baldness in people predisposed to it. Another side effect is decreased fertility and testicular atrophy.

Why Are Anabolic Steroids Dangerous for Teens?

Many of the side effects of taking performance enhancing drugs can be countered by combining them with other drugs and exercise and are somewhat reversible in adults. However, anabolic steroid use can have permanent negative consequences if used by adolescents. One side effect can be early onset of puberty. More significantly, the drugs can stunt growth by prematurely stopping the lengthening of the bones.